Tower Hamlets loses second mayor in eight days

The acting mayor of Tower Hamlets LBC has stepped down from the role due to a conflict of interest, just one week after being elevated into the position. The move is unrelated to further police investigations in Tower Hamlets.

However, Mr Oliur Rahman also works for the Department for Work & Pensions.

A spokesman for Tower Hamlets LBC confirmed he had taken the decision to stand down because there was a conflict of interest between his role as mayor and his paid role.

He said: “Cllr Rahman declared that he was unable to carry on acting in place of the mayor last night. By operation of law the executive powers therefore have already passed to the members of the executive collectively. They have an option to decide at their cabinet meeting on May 13 to choose one of their number to act in place of the mayor.”

When LGC spoke to Cllr Rahman on Wednesday he acknowledged there was a potential “conflict of interest” and said he would be talking to his managers.

Cllr Rahman said he had been put “in the limelight” and had “no choice” but to become acting mayor after his predecessor was deposed.

The proposed new formula for funding services such as libraries, parks and waste collection will see more than £0.5bn diverted away from London councils, with shire areas the main beneficiaries, an academic analysis shared with LGC has found.

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